Former First Lady of Ghana, Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, has passed away at the age of 76 after a short illness at the Ridge Hospital in Accra on Thursday, October 23, 2025.
Born on November 17, 1948, in Cape Coast, Nana Konadu hailed from a prominent Ashanti royal family.
She attended Achimota School and later the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), where she studied Art and Textiles.
She further pursued studies in interior design at the London College of Arts and later obtained additional qualifications in management and development.
Nana Konadu married former President Jerry John Rawlings in 1977, and together they had four children — Zanetor, Yaa Asantewaa, Amina, and Kimathi.
As Ghana’s First Lady, she served two terms — first from June to September 1979, and then from December 1981 to January 2001 — during which she became a powerful advocate for women’s rights and social transformation.
In 1982, she founded the 31st December Women’s Movement, a groundbreaking organization dedicated to women’s empowerment, adult literacy, and early childhood education.
Under her leadership, the movement played a key role in championing the Intestate Succession Law, which protected the rights of widows and children.
Beyond her advocacy work, Nana Konadu was also deeply involved in politics.
She served as the first Vice-Chairperson of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in 2009.
Later, after parting ways with the NDC, she founded the National Democratic Party (NDP), under which she made history in 2016 as the first woman to run for president in Ghana.
Known for her strong will, charisma, and lifelong dedication to equality, Nana Konadu left an indelible mark on Ghana’s political and social landscape.
Her passion for women’s advancement and national development continues to inspire many across generations.
May her soul rest in perfect peace, and may her work continue to inspire future generations.
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Story by Kelvin Owusu Andam | univers.ug.edu.gh
Edited by Erica Odeenyin Odoom
